What is IWIRC?

International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation. Our name is long, but our mission is succinct. We are IWIRC, and we are committed to being the premier networking organization devoted to enhancing the professional status of women in insolvency and restructuring.

IWIRC was founded in December 1993 by Selinda Melnik, Laureen Ryan and Martha Fetner, an attorney, investment banker and commercial banker, respectively. It is a not-for-profit professional association incorporated in May 1994 under the laws of the State of New York, USA. IWIRC held its first meeting in London, England in June 1994. Its first Network, Central Ohio, was chartered in June 1995.

Now in our 26th year, IWIRC has been connecting women worldwide. Through a global membership of more than 1,500 attorneys, bankers, corporate-turnaround professionals, financial advisors and other restructuring practitioners, members develop a powerful network of contacts, resources, mentors and friends. Whether it is across the café table or the continents, our diverse relationships make IWIRC the premier organization for women in the restructuring and insolvency professions.

The robust international organization supports relationship-building and provides resources at the global and local network levels. Practitioners new to the business, or a region, can plug into professional communities quickly with IWIRC. Through events and interactive tools, we also offer seminars, intellectual capital, career resources, leadership opportunities and guidance for personal and professional development.

IWIRC fosters growth and celebrates success. We proactively promote member expertise and achievement through the IWIRC Speakers’ Bureau, our online media database, the I am IWIRC program, Woman of the Year and Founders’ Awards recognition programs, and a professional public profile in our IWIRC online directory, as well as our relationships with other organizations worldwide.

Benefits of Membership

A Global Organization, A Local Network

An international organization, IWIRC offers its members the opportunity for leadership involvement at both the global and local level. The international board creates programs to foster national and cross-border relationships and education. Global conferences are scheduled in conjunction with other major restructuring conferences, leveraging business development opportunities and travel budgets.

Local networks organize professional, educational and social activities within their communities and regions which are structured to meet the specific needs and interests of network members. These conferences are ideal for meeting other professionals in a welcoming environment. For young professionals eager to learn, to polish their networking skills, and to develop leadership skills, IWIRC international and regional conferences are ideal. Both local networks and the international organization offer “fast track” leadership opportunities for those seeking to take their careers to the next level. IWIRC networks are located in Asia, Europe, and North America. We welcome the development of new networks in these or new regions.

Creating participation opportunities in a dynamic industry, face-to-face meetings with other insolvency and restructuring professionals from all over the globe, and the opportunity to be recognized for your professional contributions and achievements.